Liverpool shot-stopper turns sweeper-keeper to thwart Southampton

After being lambasted for his sub-standard performances in the Liverpool goal earlier in the season, Simon Mignolet is finally starting to win over Reds fans, and his first-half performance against Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday – in some awful conditions – went a long way to winning over a whole lot more.

Not only did the Belgian pull off a save from an on-rushing Eljero Elia from point-blank range early in the game, but his bold decision to rush off his line with the Dutchman again through on goal paid off towards the end of the first half:

While Southampton fans were adamant that the 25 year-old had handled outside the box, the replays suggest that Mignolet was inside his area – just. His save ensured that Liverpool went into the break 1-0 up, rather than level.

So far, so good from the Liverpool number one then. There’s still 45 minutes of second half action for him to get through, though…